Ethanol Increases Hepatic Smooth Endoplasmic Reticulum and Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes

Rats were fed ethanol for 2 weeks along with diets either adequate or deficient in protein and choline, the latter intake being similar to that of many alcoholics. Hepatic lipids, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, and the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes (aniline hydroxylase and nitroreductase) were increased with the adequate diet but more so with the deficient one. These results may explain the increased tolerance by alcoholics of drugs such as sedatives.